Jaclyn Turner of South Carolina, from left, John Nickel of Redford Township and Michelle Weinert of Novi look at Vincent Van Gogh's 'Self Portrait,' 1887 left and 'Portrait of Postman Roulin,' 1888 right at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, MI on Thursday, May 30, 2013. Romain Blanquart/ Detroit Free Press / Romain Blanquart/ Detroit Free P

A proposal being tossed about would spin the Detroit Institute of Arts off into a nonprofit that is independent from the City of Detroit, saving its treasures from creditors seeking billions from the bankrupt city, while also helping pensioners. Readers offered their thoughts on the move on Freep.com:

If this deal can be worked out and the retirees are saved from suffering, itís a good deal. It does seem that the misinformed will be shouting against it; it seems big numbers confuse many. The DIA never should have been included as a city asset. It should have always been a stand-alone entity. Hopefully, this can now be corrected and save the retirees at the same time.

James Foster

For what it is, the DIA is useless to Detroit. That doesnít mean it doesnít hold value to people. But if letting it go can save the pensions of retirees, then do it. Itís a no-brainer. These people have set their lives based on their retired income. Taking it away is just something that canít happen.

Mike Corey

Some issues may occur, like some job losses, but thatís better than everyone losing their jobs as the DIA gets ransacked.

Timothy Rowe

Detroit would be better off selling $500 million worth of paintings and keeping the DIA. Itís crazy to think they would sell it for $500 million, which is what this deal boils down to. This just sounds like a scam to take control of the DIA. Sell these nonprofits $500 million worth of paintings and let them keep them on display at the DIA if theyíre all that interested in helping.

Jim Read

How does actually owning the DIA make a huge difference to the city? Itís main value to the city is simply being in the city, providing culture to residents and drawing visitors. Donít think itís going anywhere under this deal.

Neal Blaise Salogar

Business is business, but art is art. Keep the vultures away! Detroit has two world-class cultural treasures: the Detroit symphony and the DIA. Keep them intact and in place.

Priscilla Downie

It does not seem like free markets are at work here. You have art that everyone was saying was worth billions, and now an appraiser is saying it is worth $900 million. Further, the emergency manager is considering selling it for only $500 million. What am I missing?

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Stephen Banicki

Via Freep.com

No more regional tax money for the DIA.

Sonya Bell

First good idea I have heard in this fiasco. If they are going to do it, I hope they have the wisdom and ability to make the legal language iron clad, such that only an act of god or world war could threaten the safety of the art treasures of Michigan. They need to include language that no donated art can ever be sold and that the museum can never be taken over by a private company or public corporation or such. The only way this would be a good deal is if every scrap of art remains in the DIA and nothing is sold off.

Daniel Sabo

Why not start a new foundation, get whatever you can from these foundations and seek donations from the public? I live nowhere near Detroit, but I love the city and the DIA, and have fond memories of going there often. Kids from here take school trips to the DIA all the time. It really is a state resource. Therefore, I think raising $500 million from foundations and Michigan citizens is very doable. Lots of folks up here are upset about the pension fund issue, as well. If the money were to go to save the DIA and the pensionersí checks, I think you could raise the money within a few months.